Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[OzVilla]

There is something fundamentally offensive about having Americans commentating on football.

I had to mute it when an overhit cross went out over the ‘end line’.

[Dogtanian]

I can't stand 'tie' instead of draw. 

[ADVILLAFAN]

Czechs did seem a bit like Brentford. Just score from set pieces.

[Dave]

Middle game of Korea - Mexico for (presumably) group winners should be a decent one based on the two games so far.

(2am next Friday morning, obviously).

[cdbearsfan]

I'm recording it. What I really want is to watch highlights tomorrow without finding out the score but neither the BBC nor ITV seem to be offering that service, which is utterly ridiculous considering the kick off times.

bbc.com/nospoilers

I saw that but is there any way of watching on iPlayer? I don't want to watch it on a phone screen.

[Dogtanian]

Oh dear. Platini launching a criminal case against Infantino, claiming he plotted against him in the race to be the top pig at the FIFA trough;

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7342954/2026/06/08/michel-platini-case-fifa-gianni-infantino/

'In a statement issued by his spokesman on Monday, Platini claims that he wants it “legally recognised” that he was “taken down” with “entirely fictitious offences” to stop him becoming FIFA president.'

[cdbearsfan]

Anyway, just watched full game and Korea definitely deserved the win.

[Joe S]

I saw that but is there any way of watching on iPlayer? I don't want to watch it on a phone screen.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/group/m002v7zq <-- it's on iPlayer website, not sure about TV app though

[cdbearsfan]

Thank you. I looked yesterday and it gave away a key point from Mexico game, doesn't seem so bad today.

[Joe S]

I agree, the thumbnails still show more than they should for a "no spoiler" link.

[Toronto Villa]

Goood game last night. More agricutural from the Czech's, a little more dynamic and creative from Korea. Right team won, but so far at least two solid games to start the tournament. Big day for Canada, so hopefully the boys can give Bosnia a game. If the ticket prices come donw, might take a cheeky pop down to Ghana vs Panama next week.

[devilla]

It doesn't really feel like the world cup has started for me because the time difference means that effectively there's only one game a day unless you're an owl. In previous tournaments we'd have three games a day at the start but not this time.

[ADVILLAFAN]

It doesn't really feel like the world cup has started for me because the time difference means that effectively there's only one game a day unless you're an owl. In previous tournaments we'd have three games a day at the start but not this time.

Said before that really it is quite selfish them playing in an inconvenient timezone.

[Brazilian Villain]

It doesn't really feel like the world cup has started for me because the time difference means that effectively there's only one game a day unless you're an owl. In previous tournaments we'd have three games a day at the start but not this time.

Said before that really it is quite selfish them playing in an inconvenient timezone.

Maybe your cousin CDPandabearsfan can give us some tips on how best to watch football that's on in the middle of the night.

[exigo]

Rather spoils the neutral interest now the holders don't play in the opening game.
If it was Argentina playing first, we'd all be invested in how good they are and how we might stack up in comparison. With all due respect to Mexico, who put on a good show in one of the world's greatest grounds, neither team is of any real interest to us yet even with a projected knockout against England.

Same goes for putting on Canada v Bosnia in the peak time Friday European TV slot.